Chinese Antiquities Donated to the Bruce Museum

One of the largest donations of art in recent years

In one of the largest donations of art in recent years, Fred and Jane Brooks of Greenwich have donated six Tang Dynasty ceramics to the Bruce Museum.

"The Bruce has had the benefit of being owned by the people in town but really hasn't attracted people from far and wide," said Fred Brooks, donor of the collection. "It's our hope that this will be the instigation for other people, not only collectors of Chinese antiquities who could augment our collection and help it grow into other periods, but to make The Bruce a destination."

A destination well worth the trip. The donated works all date from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), which is regarded as one of the greatest periods of artistic creativity in China.

"There are two types, one is multi-colored glaze, or tricolor glaze, as well as painted pieces," explained Brooks. "There is no rhyme or reason why one piece would be done the other way and some were painted and glazed. The pieces were created for decoration in the homes of the nobility but also as funereal figures, they were buried when the emperor died and were regarded to be utilitarian to be used in the after life."

The gift and the promise of additional donations from the collection will help establish the Bruce Museum as an important center for the study of Chinese antiquities.

"The museum will end up with one of the best collections of Chinese antiquities in the country and enhance the prestige of the museum and the museum enhances the prestige of the Town and of our collection."